Hi Poudre River Lovers, We killed it once, but Thornton's ZOMBIE pipeline is back again! Next week on April 10th, there will be a hearing at the Larimer County Planning Commission. On April 22nd, there will be a final hearing in front of the Larimer County Commissioners. We have dissected the application and provided comments to the Planning Commission. Our comments are posted here. A summary of our comments: This new application has changed very little from the previous application in 2018. It's a waste of Larimer County's time to even consider this application when there is no significant benefit to the County. Further, the former Larimer County Commissioners denied the application, and then Thornton lost in court, twice. This new application should meet the same demise. Larimer County's Land Use Code requires that applicants must "FIRST AVOID" negative impacts to the County, its citizens, and its natural resources. Instead of avoiding those impacts, Thornton's application tries to "mitigate" impacts. Using the "Poudre River Option," Thornton must send its water down the Poudre River instead of putting the water in a pipeline, an option that would AVOID all impacts in Larimer County. Thornton could've sent its water down the Poudre River 10 or 20 years ago WITHOUT even needing a permit from Larimer County, and so its not Larimer County's fault, or Save The Poudre's, that Thornton doesn't already have this water. The application provides almost no material benefit to the County and its residents which is required by the Land Use Code. Thornton must choose the "Poudre River Option" which sends the water down the Poudre and would provide the following benefits to help restore and heal the Poudre River: The river water would be cooler which would benefit native fish and people recreating in the river. The higher flow would help flush sediment and mud out of the river channel. Trout could more easily spawn in a cleaner riverbed of sand and gravel. Less algae would grow on the riverbed and on rocks, making the river safer for people. Less water treatment and expense might be needed by the City’s wastewater treatment plant, and city-wide stormwater runoff would have less negative impact on water quality in the river. Wetlands would be helped to flourish along the river providing more bird and wildlife habitat. Cottonwoods and willows would be helped to flourish along the river. Recreational opportunities, including those at the new Whitewater Park, would be enhanced. Flooding impacts may decrease. The river would be more beautiful. Hearing dates with the Planning Commission and County Commissioners: Sign up to speak through the Larimer County website here. Planning Commission - Wednesday April 10 Board of County Commissioners - Monday April 22 All meetings will start at 6 p.m. and will have a hybrid format. In person: 200 W. Oak St. and via Zoom (link to be provided) In addition to showing up for the Hearings, writing letters to the Planning Commission and the County Commissioners is important! Write letters to John…
Save The Poudre: Patagonia Matching Grant, $10,000!
Hi Poudre River Lovers!
We have good news. Our wonderful partners at Patagonia, the outdoor gear/apparel company, will match your donation to Save The Poudre, up to $10,000, starting today through the end of 2019.
The donation link is here:
https://www.patagonia.com/actionworks/grantees/save-the-poudre-poudre-waterkeeper/donate/
Patagonia will securely process your donation and then transfer the money to Save The Poudre.
We are especially excited to partner with Patagonia in this matching grant campaign because they are one of the leading voices on the planet for fighting dams and protecting rivers. Patagonia is also one of our leading funders!
What did Save The Poudre accomplish in 2019?
- Helped stop the Thornton Pipeline dead in its tracks!
- Intervened in state district court against the City of Thornton to defend the Larimer County Commissioners against Thornton’s lawsuit.
- Saw through the construction of the amazing Poudre River Whitewater Park, a project that we initiated back in 2010!
- Filed a lawsuit in federal district court in Colorado to stop the proposed Windy Gap Water Project in Colorado.
- Intervened with the Larimer County permitting process against the Northern Integrated Supply Project (“NISP”), the massive proposed dam project we’ve been fighting for 17 years.
- Intervened with the State of Colorado permitting project against NISP.
- Filed more comments with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers against NISP.
- Kept the Poudre River’s voice alive to the public, in the media, and throughout the northern Colorado region.
- And more!
When you donate to Save The Poudre, we get right to work! Patagonia Action Works is a wonderful partner putting your money into action.
Please donate here through Patagonia Action Works and help us protect this amazing river!
The donation link is here:
https://www.patagonia.com/actionworks/grantees/save-the-poudre-poudre-waterkeeper/donate/
Thank you for your support!
Gary Wockner, Director, Save The Poudre.